Skincare by age: What your night-time routine should look like in your 30s

Everything you need to do before you hit the bed

Now that you’ve got your daytime skincare routine for your 30s down pat, it’s time you get on board with a solid night plan. After a long day of balancing work, family and everything else that requires your complete attention, your skin only really has the hours you clock in to sleep at night, to really rejuvenate, meaning what you do at night contributes just as much to its health, as the day. Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist, Dr Harshna Bijlani of The Ageless Clinic, sets the record straight for the perfect night-time beauty routine for your 30s.

Your skin’s night-time needs in your 30sAs you hit 30, your skin starts to get drier than normal, causing fine lines and wrinkles (this is why those with oily skin age the slowest). Acne usually starts to settle down, however you’ll notice changes like sagging skin and pigmentation, considering all the damage it undergoes due to the pollution and being out in the sun. The older you get, the more the skin’s moisture levels drop and all these signs of ageing get even more prominent.

UV radiation is the absolute worst for your skin. UVA rays cause the lines and wrinkles, and UVB causes pigmentation and is responsible for burning your skin. Plus, high pollution levels don’t help either—they’re the reason for clogged pores which can further make your skin look dull. Believe it or not, being harsh on your skin to remove your make-up, rubbing your eyes, all of these mindless processes can make you look older as well. High amounts of stress in your daily life coupled with a lack of nutrients in your diet naturally have a negative effect on your skin. Also, a lot of us are walking around with vitamin D deficiency, and we might not even know it. It’s worthwhile to get a blood test to make sure you’re not deficient in any essential vitamins and nutrients that are essential for glowing skin.

The perfect night-time skincare routine for your 30sCleanse: Ensure that whatever kind of cleanser you use, it’s non-drying. That’s the most important thing.Tone: If you are suffering from acne or have enlarged pores, it’s best to use a non-alcohol-based toner.Serum: If you haven’t already, it’s best to start using a vitamin C serum, one with ferulic acid or with antioxidants to boost your skin’s health.Moisturise: For combination skin, pick a gel- or lotion-based moisturiser. If you have dry skin, choose a creamy one. Look out for a retinol-based ones that come with vitamin E or C. You can also use those with hyaluronic acid that boosts collagen production or one with peptides. Starting on a collagen supplement might be a good idea if you can already feel your skin sagging.

Ingredients you should avoid
While you might be used to using certain kinds of products in your 20s, it’s important that you update your routine based on your skin’s needs. Avoid any products that are very drying, like face washes and moisturisers that come with salicylic acid, or those with alcohol content.

Here’s a list of products you can buy to kick-start your night routine.

Just Herbs Sacred Lotus Green Tea Skin Recovery Toner, Rs 495

L'Occitane Reine Blanche Illuminating Foam Cleanser, Rs 1,890

8 / 9

La Prairie Line Interception Power Duo, Rs 27,677

9 / 9

Lotus Herbals Basiltone, Rs 285

This story is part of ourSkincare For Your Ageseries which will cover everything from the perfect morning routine to dermatologist treatments for your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Check back every week for a new one.